The Atlanta Police Department (APD) DUI Task Force was given top
honors in individual and group categories for successfully reducing
alcohol-related driving incidents at the 2007 Governor’s Challenge
Awards. Presented by the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety
(GOHS), the Awards recognize the outstanding performance and dedication
of Georgia’s public safety officers. Last month, more than 600 public
safety officers from around the state gathered at the Georgia
International Convention Center for the seventh annual ceremony.

APD won third place for its 2006 DUI enforcement programs, which
include the successful Operation Zero Tolerance. According to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Georgia has
the lowest percentage of alcohol-related crashes among the southeastern
states. In 2006, APD received the GOHS “Agency of the Year” Award.

Top awards also went to individual APD officers. Officer Alvin
Rodriguez was awarded the HEAT (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive
Traffic) Officer of the Year Award for making 218 impaired driving
arrests in 2006. Officer Adam Wright was awarded the Lifetime
Achievement Award for arresting over 1,000 impaired drivers. Sgt. Ron
Miniatis was recognized for his leadership in coordinating law
enforcement traffic safety efforts throughout metro Atlanta.

APD has been recognized by public and private organizations for its
dedicated efforts to ensure the safety of Georgia drivers. In March
2007, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), Georgia chapter, awarded the
APD DUI Task Force the 2006 DUI Hero Agency Award for making 1,268 drunk
driving arrests in 2006.

The Department of Watershed Management (DWM) has announced that the
Greensferry Sewer Separation project was substantially complete on
September 24, three days ahead of the Consent Decree’s September 27
deadline.

The project involved separation of the previously combined sewer
system with construction of new pipes to handle the sewage that
previously flowed through the combined sewer pipes. The old pipes will
continue to handle the stormwater.

The project will help eliminate sewer overflows in the West End and
Atlanta University Center communities. The early completion means that
the City has met every Consent Decree deadline to date on time and is on
track to meet the 55 Consent Decree milestones on schedule.

“Like the Stockade and McDaniel sewer separation projects that were
completed ahead of schedule earlier this month, the Greensferry project
is a critical step forward in Atlanta’s efforts to meet our Consent
Decree deadlines,” said Rob Hunter, DWM commissioner.

During the $79.6 million project, the City constructed about 57,000
feet of new sanitary sewer and 381 manholes. While construction was
underway, the City used the opportunity to replace 48,000 feet of
drinking water mains in the area. Over the next six months, the City
will repair damaged streets, curbs and landscaping in the sewer
separation areas.

Last Tuesday, the City of Atlanta raised over $50,000 for Camp Best
Friends, the City’s premier summer program for youth ages 6-16, at the
Mayor’s Bowl fundraiser.

The Mayor’s Bowl, a bowling tournament, was held at Ten Pin Alley in
Atlantic Station. For 11 consecutive years, City fundraisers have
contributed more than $1 million to the Camp Best Friends endowment.
Camp Best Friends has been serving Atlanta parents and youth for over 30
years with best-in-class recreational and cultural programs as well as
specialty and leadership camps.

“This year’s departure from a golf tournament to a bowling tournament
was a fun and successful one,” said Mayor Shirley Franklin. “We thank
our public and private partners for continuing to support Atlanta
programs – like Camp Best Friends – with your time, money and
dedication.”

The City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs (OCA) has partnered
with Atlanta Performs, the Atlanta Convention and Visitor’s Bureau and
MARTA to designate October as Georgia Open Arts (GO ARTS) Month.

All month long, GO ARTS will offer theater, music, dance, visual art,
cultural exhibits and more at free and discounted rates. There are over
100 different opportunities to explore Georgia’s vibrant cultural arts
scene in venues throughout Atlanta and the state.

Highlights include:

MARTA Mondays. Each week, a MARTA station will host live music at
a different location from 11:30 am – 1 pm, and 4:30 – 6 pm.

Free Night of Theatre. On Thursday October 4, GO ARTS will partner
with the Theatre Communications Group (TCG) to provide 2,000 free
tickets to performances at venues across greater Atlanta. All tickets
will be given away online at www.freenightoftheater.net beginning at
7:00 pm on Thursday, October 4.

City Gallery East. The City’s premier gallery will feature 25
images (also on display on 25 MARTA buses) on exhibit from October 19
through November 23. For more information, visit http://www.ocaatlanta.com/.

StreetStage Atlanta. Friday October 19-Sunday October 21,
performing artists from around the globe will converge on Atlanta
streets for one-of-a-kind performances. Performances will be held at
Woodruff Park (Peachtree Street) and Auburn Avenue.

Click [http://www.atlantaga.gov/media/nr_goarts_100107.aspx] for a
detailed calendar of events. For more information, contact Dorian
McDuffie at 404.817.6980.

City of Atlanta Channel 26 is proud to launch ‘Fact Finder,’ a new
show that answers questions important to Atlanta residents and
stakeholders. Click here to go to our VOD page where you can
watch this program.

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs (DPRCA)
need stakeholder involvement in preserving its $6 million investment
to improve the City’s athletic fields. Funded by the 2005 Atlanta City
Council approved Opportunity Bond, DPRCA recently completed major
renovations, recovery and irrigation system installment in 45 ball
fields throughout Atlanta. Most fields have been re-opened, with the
remainder opening in March 2008. DPRCA Athletic Field Policies and
Procedures are available online. Please review the policies and share
them with others in an effort to help maintain this investment in our
ball fields. Visit here to see the policies, or call
404.817.6788 for more information.

The Atlanta Police Foundation (APF) will host the Atlanta Housing
Fair in the City Hall Atrium, 55 Trinity Ave, on Thursday, October 18
from 12-5 pm. Find out more about the City of Atlanta affordable
homeownership programs. For more information, visit here.

With the City of Atlanta’s online application system, you are able to
create an account and select a Username and Password and then log in to
your account.

After your account has been established, you can create an
application by clicking on the “Build Job Application” link. Once your
application is completed, it will be stored in the system and can be
used to apply for future job openings. To get started by viewing current
open positions, click here.